U.S. patent application number 10/024356 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-26 for cosmetic affinity indexing.
Invention is credited to Giacchetti, Daniela, Pardi, Beatrice, Rubinstenn, Gilles.
Application Number | 20030120534 10/024356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21820158 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030120534 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giacchetti, Daniela ; et
al. |
June 26, 2003 |
Cosmetic affinity indexing
Abstract
Methods and systems are disclosed for helping a consumer make a
cosmetic product purchasing decision. A cosmetic service may
maintain information reflective of compatibility between cosmetic
products and personal characteristics of a plurality of subjects.
The cosmetic service may also collect personal characteristic
information from the consumer and compare the consumer's collected
personal characteristic information with the maintained
compatibility information. Based on the comparison, the cosmetic
service may determine a compatibility level of the consumer with
each of a plurality of the cosmetic products. Thereafter, the
cosmetic service may present to the consumer an indication of a
cosmetic product, and associate with the presented product, an
indicator of predicted compatibility with the consumer.
Inventors: |
Giacchetti, Daniela; (Paris,
FR) ; Pardi, Beatrice; (Milano, IT) ;
Rubinstenn, Gilles; (Paris, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW
GARRETT & DUNNER, L.L.P.
1300 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3315
US
|
Family ID: |
21820158 |
Appl. No.: |
10/024356 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0631 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/10 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of helping a consumer make a cosmetic product
purchasing decision, the method comprising: maintaining information
reflective of compatibility between cosmetic products and personal
characteristics of a plurality of subjects; collecting personal
characteristic information from the consumer; comparing the
consumer's collected personal characteristic information with the
maintained compatibility information; determining, based on the
comparing, a compatibility level of the consumer with each of a
plurality of the cosmetic products; presenting to the consumer an
indication of at least one of the plurality of cosmetic products;
and associating with the at least one presented product, an
indicator of predicted compatibility between the at least one
presented product and the consumer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one presented
product includes a list of cosmetic products.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicators associated with
each product are numeric, and wherein the numeric indicators are
displayed in a manner permitting the consumer to ascertain relative
compatibility of multiple products.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicators associated with
each product are symbols, and wherein the symbols are displayed in
a manner permitting the consumer to ascertain relative
compatibility of multiple products.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicators associated with
each product include a graphical representation, and wherein the
graphical representations are displayed in a manner permitting the
consumer to ascertain relative compatibility of multiple
products.
6. The method of claim 2, further comprising prompting the consumer
to select at least one category of cosmetic products, and wherein a
plurality of listed cosmetic products are selected to fall within
the at least one category.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein personal characteristics of the
subjects include at least one of physical characteristics,
lifestyle information, and family history information.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein personal characteristic
information of the consumer includes at least one of physical
characteristics, lifestyle information, and family history
information.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the maintained information is
generated from at least one survey of cosmetic product users.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein collecting personal
characteristic information from the consumer is accomplished
through an electronic questionnaire.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing includes identifying
similarities between the collected personal information of the
consumer and the personal characteristics of at least one of the
subjects.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying similarities is
accomplished using an artificial intelligence engine.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality
of the cosmetic products are pre-selected by the consumer.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein none of the plurality of
cosmetic products are pre-selected by the consumer.
15. The method of claim 2, wherein the list includes pricing
information associated with each product.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the list is sorted based on at
least one of a group of criteria, the group of criteria including
level of projected compatibility with the consumer, price, consumer
brand preferences, accessibility of products, personal reaction to
ingredients, ethical guideline preferences, country of manufacture,
whether product is natural, and proven effectiveness.
17. The method of claim 2, performed over a network, wherein
presenting includes causing the list to be presented on a display
device at a location of the consumer.
18. A method of helping a consumer make a cosmetic purchasing
decision, the method comprising: maintaining information about
compatibility between cosmetic products and personal
characteristics of a plurality of subjects; collecting personal
characteristic information from the consumer; comparing the
consumer's collected personal characteristic information with the
maintained compatibility information; based on comparing,
determining a compatibility level of the consumer with at least one
of the cosmetic products; displaying a representation of the at
least one cosmetic product; and associating with the representation
an indicator of compatibility between the at least one cosmetic
product and the consumer.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising presenting to the
consumer a menu of cosmetic products, and prompting the consumer to
select the at least one cosmetic product from the menu.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising prompting the
consumer to identify a preference for at least one category of
cosmetic products, and wherein during comparing, information is
processed on a plurality of products within the at least one
category and a subset of cosmetic products from the at least one
category are selected for display.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein representations of only
consumer-selected cosmetic products are displayed.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein alternatives to
consumer-selected cosmetic products are displayed.
23. A method of classifying cosmetic products, the method
comprising: maintaining in a data structure information based on
the use of a plurality of cosmetic products by a plurality of
subjects having varying personal characteristics; maintaining in
the data structure information reflective of at least some of the
personal characteristics of the subjects; maintaining in the data
structure information reflective of a degree of compatibility
between at least some of the cosmetic products and the personal
characteristics of at least some of the subjects; prompting a
consumer to provide personal information reflective of the
consumer's own personal characteristics; comparing the personal
information provided by the consumer with the personal
characteristics information contained in the data structure; and
causing at least some of the plurality of cosmetic products to be
classified by a predicted degree of compatibility with the
consumer.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising displaying to the
consumer cosmetics products above a predetermined compatibility
classification.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein causing products to be
classified includes generating an affinity index for each of the
plurality of cosmetic products.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein personal characteristics of the
subjects and the consumer include at least one of physical
characteristics, lifestyle information, and family history
information.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein compatibility includes at least
one of aesthetic compatibility with the consumer's appearance and
physical compatibility the consumer's biology.
28. A method of prescribing cosmetic products, the method
comprising: maintaining in a data structure information based on
the use of a plurality of cosmetic products by a plurality of
subjects having varying personal characteristics; maintaining in
the data structure information reflective of at least some of the
personal characteristics of the subjects; maintaining in the data
structure information reflective of a degree of compatibility
between at least some of the cosmetic products and the personal
characteristics of at least some of the subjects; prompting a
consumer to provide personal information reflective of the
consumer's own personal characteristics; comparing the personal
information provided by the consumer with the personal
characteristics information contained in the data structure; and
causing a display to the consumer of representations of at least
some of the plurality of cosmetic products prioritized by degree of
predicted compatibility with the consumer.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the display to the consumer
includes a list of products, arranged in order of predicted
compatibility.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the display to the consumer
includes one or more of a code, an indicator, or a ranking
associated with one or more displayed representations of cosmetic
products.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein a ranking and a purchase price
are associated with each displayed product representation.
32. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of cosmetic
products include products of differing brands.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising causing a display to
the consumer of a plurality of recommendations arranged by
category.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the category includes at least
one a level of projected compatibility with the consumer, price,
consumer brand preferences, accessibility of products, personal
reaction to ingredients, ethical guideline preferences, country of
manufacture, whether product is natural, and proven
effectiveness.
35. The method of claim 28, wherein prompting the consumer to
provide personal information includes prompting the consumer to
identify a preferred brand of cosmetic product, and wherein at
least one of the plurality of recommendations is a recommendation
based on the consumer's preferred brand.
36. The method of claim 28, wherein prompting the consumer to
provide personal information includes prompting the consumer to
identify purchase price preferences, and wherein at least one of
the plurality of recommendations is a recommendation based on the
consumer's purchase price preferences.
37. A system for helping a consumer select a cosmetic product, the
system comprising: a data structure containing information about
personal characteristics of a plurality of test subjects, the data
structure further containing information reflective of a degree of
compatibility between at least some of the cosmetic products and
the physical characteristics of at least some of the subjects;
memory for at least temporarily storing information reflective of
the consumer's own personal characteristics; and a processor for
comparing the personal characteristic information provided by the
consumer with compatibility information contained in the data
structure and for associating with at least one of the plurality of
cosmetic products a classifier indicating a degree of compatibility
between the at least one product and the consumer.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein personal characteristics of the
subjects include at least one of physical characteristics,
lifestyle information, and family history information.
39. The system of claim 37, wherein personal characteristic
information of the consumer include at least one of physical
characteristics, lifestyle information, and family history
information.
40. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing
a computer to perform a method of helping a consumer make a
cosmetic product purchasing decision, the method comprising:
maintaining information reflective of compatibility between
cosmetic products and personal characteristics of a plurality of
subjects; collecting personal characteristic information from the
consumer; comparing the consumer's collected personal
characteristic information with the maintained compatibility
information; based on comparing, determining a compatibility level
of the consumer with each of a plurality of the cosmetic products;
presenting to the consumer an indication of at least one of the
plurality of cosmetic products; and associating with the at least
one presented product, an indicator of predicted compatibility
between the at least one presented product and the consumer.
41. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the at least
one presented product includes a list of cosmetic products.
42. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the
indicators associated with each product are numeric, and wherein
the numeric indicators are displayed in a manner permitting the
consumer to ascertain relative compatibility of multiple
products.
43. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the
indicators associated with each product are symbols, and wherein
the symbols are displayed in a manner permitting the consumer to
ascertain relative compatibility of multiple products.
44. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the
indicators associated with each product include a graphical
representation, and wherein the graphical representations are
displayed in a manner permitting the consumer to ascertain relative
compatibility of multiple products.
45. The computer-readable medium of claim 41, further comprising
prompting the consumer to select at least one category of cosmetic
products, and wherein cosmetic products on the list are selected to
fall within the at least one category.
46. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein personal
characteristics of the subjects include at least one of physical
characteristics, lifestyle information, and family history
information.
47. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein personal
characteristic information of the consumer includes at least one of
physical characteristics, lifestyle information, and family history
information.
48. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the
maintained information is generated from at least one survey of
cosmetic product users.
49. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein collecting
personal characteristic information from the consumer is
accomplished through an electronic questionnaire.
50. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein comparing
includes identifying similarities between the collected personal
information of the consumer and the personal characteristics of at
least one of the subjects.
51. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein identifying
similarities is accomplished using an artificial intelligence
engine.
52. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein at least some
of the plurality of the cosmetic products are pre-selected by the
consumer.
53. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein none of the
plurality of cosmetic products are pre-selected by the
consumer.
54. The computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the list
includes pricing information associated with each product.
55. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the list is
sorted from greatest compatibility to least compatibility.
56. A method of helping a consumer make a cosmetic product
purchasing decision, the method comprising: receiving, from a
cosmetic service, a request for personal information from the
consumer, the personal information including at least one of
personal characteristic information and preference information;
sending the personal information to the cosmetic service, wherein
the cosmetic service compares the consumer's personal
characteristic information with information reflective of
compatibility between cosmetic products and personal
characteristics of a plurality of subjects, determines a
compatibility level of the consumer with each of a plurality of the
cosmetic products, and associates with at least one of the cosmetic
products, an indicator of predicted compatibility between the at
least one cosmetic product and the consumer; receiving the
indicator of predicted compatibility from the cosmetic service; and
displaying the indicator of predicted compatibility with an
indication of the at least one cosmetic product.
57. An apparatus for helping a consumer make a cosmetic product
purchasing decision, comprising: a memory including a program that:
maintains information reflective of compatibility between cosmetic
products and personal characteristics of a plurality of subjects;
collects personal characteristic information from the consumer;
compares the consumer's collected personal characteristic
information with the maintained compatibility information;
determines, based on the comparing, a compatibility level of the
consumer with each of a plurality of the cosmetic products;
presents to the consumer an indication of at least one of the
plurality of cosmetic products; and associates with the at least
one presented product, an indicator of predicted compatibility
between the at least one presented product and the consumer; and a
processor that runs the program.
58. An apparatus for helping a consumer make a cosmetic product
purchasing decision, comprising: means for maintaining information
reflective of compatibility between cosmetic products and personal
characteristics of a plurality of subjects; means for collecting
personal characteristic information from the consumer; means for
comparing the consumer's collected personal characteristic
information with the maintained compatibility information; means
for determining, based on the comparing, a compatibility level of
the consumer with each of a plurality of the cosmetic products;
means for presenting to the consumer an indication of at least one
of the plurality of cosmetic products; and means for associating
with the at least one presented product, an indicator of predicted
compatibility between the at least one presented product and the
consumer.
59. An apparatus for helping a consumer make a cosmetic product
purchasing decision, comprising: a memory including a program that:
receives, from a cosmetic service, a request for personal
information from the consumer, the personal information including
at least one of personal characteristic information and preference
information; sends the personal information to the cosmetic
service, wherein the cosmetic service compares the consumer's
personal characteristic information with information reflective of
compatibility between cosmetic products and personal
characteristics of a plurality of subjects, determines a
compatibility level of the consumer with each of a plurality of the
cosmetic products, and associates with at least one of the cosmetic
products, an indicator of predicted compatibility between the at
least one cosmetic product and the consumer; receives the indicator
of predicted compatibility from the cosmetic service; and displays
the indicator of predicted compatibility with an indication of the
at least one cosmetic product; and a processor that runs the
program.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to data processing
systems and, more particularly, to systems and methods for helping
consumers select cosmetic products having predicted compatibility
with personal characteristics of the consumer.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Consumers interested in making informed decisions about
cosmetic product purchases may be faced with a daunting task. Large
numbers of cosmetic manufacturers offer for sale what consumers may
perceive as an infinite number of cosmetic products, many of which
are sold with similar claims of effectiveness. As a result, many
consumers rely upon trial and error to select cosmetic products.
This manner of trial and error often results in consumers spending
a considerable amount of time and money identifying cosmetic
products that work best with their particular body chemistry or are
most compatible with their physical features.
[0005] Consumers might use price as a gauge of perceived
effectiveness, purchasing more costly products in hopes that the
cost corresponds to the degree of effectiveness. While this may be
true in some instances, physical characteristics of the consumer
may be an important factor in choosing a most effective
product.
[0006] Consumers who use a product (e.g., merchandise or service)
from a particular class of cosmetic products and are dissatisfied
with the effectiveness of the product, may shy away from thereafter
using any other product in the class. From the manufacturer's
perspective, this phenomenon may translate into lost sales. Indeed,
even within a manufacturer's own product line there may exist
multiple products for treating the same condition. Each product may
work differently on a particular consumer. From the manufacturer's
perspective, it would be most advantageous for consumers to use the
product with which they are most compatible. This may be the best
way of ensuring repeat business.
[0007] From the consumer's perspective, even if an effective
product is available, the consumer may become discouraged before
locating it and may never realize the benefits of the product.
SUMMARY OF A FEW ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Methods, combinations, apparatus, systems, and articles of
manufacture consistent with the features and principles of the
present invention help a consumer make a cosmetic product
purchasing decision.
[0009] According to one exemplary aspect of the present invention,
a method of helping a consumer make a cosmetic product purchasing
decision may include maintaining information reflective of
compatibility between cosmetic products and personal
characteristics of a plurality of subjects. Personal characteristic
information from the consumer may also be collected. The consumer's
collected personal characteristic information may then be compared
with the maintained compatibility information. Based on the
comparing, a compatibility level of the consumer with each of a
plurality of the cosmetic products may be determined. Thereafter,
an indication of at least one of the plurality of cosmetic products
may be presented to the consumer, and an indicator of predicted
compatibility between the at least one presented product and the
consumer may be associated with the at least one presented product.
An indicator associated with the at least one presented product may
be numeric, graphical, or symbolic, and may be displayed in a
manner to permit the consumer to ascertain the relative
compatibility of multiple products.
[0010] Personal characteristic information of a subject may include
at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle information,
and family history information. Personal characteristic information
of a consumer may also include at least one of physical
characteristics, lifestyle information, and family history
information.
[0011] Another exemplary aspect may further include prompting the
consumer to select at least one category or brand of cosmetic
product. Accordingly, a plurality of listed cosmetic products
including the at least one presented product may be selected to
fall within the at least one category or brand.
[0012] Another exemplary aspect may include a method of classifying
cosmetic products. The method may include maintaining in a data
structure information based on the use of a plurality of cosmetic
products by a plurality of subjects having varying personal
characteristics, maintaining in the data structure information
reflective of at least some of the personal characteristics of the
subjects, and maintaining in the data structure information
reflective of a degree of compatibility between at least some of
the cosmetic products and the personal characteristics of at least
some of the subjects. The method may further include prompting a
consumer to provide personal information reflective of the
consumer's own personal characteristics, comparing the personal
information provided by the consumer with the personal
characteristics information contained in the data structure, and
causing at least some of the plurality of cosmetic products to be
classified by a predicted degree of compatibility with the
consumer.
[0013] Additional aspects of the invention are set forth in the
description which follow and, in part, are obvious from the
description, or may be learned by practice of methods,
combinations, devices, systems, and articles of manufacturer
consistent with features of the present invention. The aspects of
the invention may be realized and attained by means of the elements
and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
It is understood that both the foregoing description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only
and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for helping a
consumer make a cosmetic product purchasing decision consistent
with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for collecting
personal information from subjects consistent with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a first example of a display of results provided
to a consumer by a cosmetic service consistent with the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary network environment in
which the features and aspects of the present invention may be
implemented;
[0018] FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of a cosmetic service system
consistent with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of a server configuration
consistent with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is another exemplary flowchart of a method for
helping a consumer make a cosmetic product purchasing decision
consistent with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a second example of a display of results provided
to a consumer by a cosmetic service consistent with the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a third example of a display of results provided
to a consumer by a cosmetic service consistent with the present
invention; and
[0023] FIG. 10 is an example of a browser display consistent with
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The following detailed description of the invention refers
to the accompanying drawings. While the description includes
exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes
may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed
description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the
invention is defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0025] Methods and systems consistent with the principles of the
invention may help a consumer make a cosmetic product purchasing
decision. To this end, a cosmetic service may maintain information
reflective of compatibility between cosmetic products and personal
characteristics of a plurality of subjects.
[0026] FIG. 1 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for helping a
consumer make a cosmetic product purchasing decision consistent
with the present invention. As with all the flowcharts presented
herein, FIG. 1 is exemplary. Thus, while the steps of the flowchart
are described in a particular order, one skilled in the art will
appreciate that these steps may be performed in a different order,
or that some of the steps may be concurrent.
[0027] The cosmetic service may receive personal characteristic
information from the consumer (step 102) and compare the consumer's
collected personal characteristic information with the maintained
compatibility information (step 104). Personal characteristic
information of the consumer may also include at least one of
physical characteristics, lifestyle information, and family
information.
[0028] Based on the comparison, the cosmetic service may determine
a compatibility level of the consumer with one or more cosmetic
products (step 106). Thereafter, the cosmetic service may present
results to the consumer (step 108). The results may include any
form of indication of compatibility between at least one cosmetic
product and the consumer. Indicators of predicted compatibility may
include numeric indicators, symbolic indicators, and/or graphical
indicators. One or more of these types of indicators may be
presented to the consumer to help the consumer ascertain the
relative predicted compatibility of cosmetic products to the
consumer.
[0029] FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for collecting
personal information from subjects consistent with the present
invention. First, a cosmetic service may request various items of
information from a plurality of subjects (step 202). For example, a
cosmetic service or an agent of the cosmetic service may send an
electronic or paper survey to one or more subjects. This survey may
ask the subjects to provide one or more of information reflective
of the use of a plurality of cosmetic products by the subjects
(cosmetic use information), information reflective of personal
characteristics of the subjects, and information reflective of a
degree of compatibility between at least some of the cosmetic
products and the personal characteristics of the subjects (subject
compatibility information).
[0030] Once a subject has completed the survey, the subject may
return the completed survey to the cosmetic service or otherwise
inform the cosmetic service of the responses to the survey (e.g.,
electronically, physically, or through telephone interaction with
an agent of the cosmetic service). After, the cosmetic service
receives the cosmetic use information, personal characteristic
information, and the compatibility information from the subjects
(steps 204, 206, and 208), the received information may be stored
for later use by the cosmetic service (step 210). For example, a
server located at the cosmetic service may receive completed
electronic surveys from subjects via a network. The cosmetic use
information, personal characteristic information, and compatibility
information from those surveys may be stored in memory and then
forwarded to a subject information database for longer storage.
Alternatively, the cosmetic service may receive completed
electronic or paper surveys and store the information from those
surveys directly in the subject information database without
storage in memory. In addition, instead of receiving subject
information based on a survey of subjects, the cosmetic service may
gather the information from those with knowledge of the cosmetic
field.
[0031] FIG. 3 is an example of results provided to a consumer by a
cosmetic service consistent with the present invention. Results 300
may include three columns: cosmetic product 302, indicating
specific cosmetic products and possibly including the product name,
type, and/or brand along with graphical representations of the
products; price 304, indicating a sale price associated with the
specific cosmetic products; and affinity index 306, indicating a
predicted compatibility level of each cosmetic product with the
consumer. The presentation may vary within the scope of the
invention. For example, the products may be presented with or
without cosmetic product images, pricing information may be
omitted, and the form of the affinity index may vary.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates results 300 for three cosmetic products,
308, 310, and 312. In this example, cosmetic products 308, 310, and
312 may each be different types of moisturizing lotion from brands
which may or may not be the same. Cosmetic products 308, 310, and
312 also each have a price and affinity index (e.g., predicted
level of compatibility) associated with it. Specifically, product
308 has a price of $39.95 and an affinity index of 80.5. Product
310 has a price of $43.99 and an affinity index of 75.0. Product
312 has a price of $34.99 and an affinity index of 68.3.
[0033] Results 300 may also depict a situation where a consumer
entered preference information indicating that only the cosmetic
category of moisturizing lotions should be considered. The
displayed products may be from the same or different brands
depending on the consumer's preference information. Also, results
300 may depict a situation where the consumer desired only
moisturizing lotions below a price point of $45.00.
[0034] The products may be presented in order of descending
affinity indices, as reflected in FIG. 3, so that the product (308)
with the highest affinity index is listed first, the product (310)
with the second highest affinity index is listed second, and so on.
A cosmetic product with an affinity index that is greater than the
affinity index of another cosmetic product is predicted to be more
compatible to the consumer than the other product. As such,
cosmetic product 308 is predicted to be more compatible to a
consumer than cosmetic product 312. Products may be listed based on
other criteria as well, such as ascending price (listing less
expensive products first), the consumer's brand preferences,
accessibility of products, personal reaction to ingredients,
ethical guidelines (e.g., I want a product never tested on
animals), country of manufacture, whether product is natural,
whether the product is proven effective, whether the product is
sold over the counter, or any other criteria that a consumer may
wish to consider when making a purchase. The criteria may be
automatically chosen or it may be chosen at least in part by the
consumer.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary network environment in
which features and aspects of the present invention may be
implemented. Network environment 400 may include individual
consumers 402a-402n, cosmetic services 404a-404n, beauty care
facilities 406a-406n, consumers 408, 410, 416 and 418, points of
sale 414a-414n, and network 412. The number of components in
network environment 400 is exemplary only, and inclusive of various
groups of entities, not all of which are required by the invention
in its broadest sense. For example, the invention may be
implemented without any point of sale entities, without any beauty
care facilities, or with only a single cosmetic service.
[0036] Individual consumer 402a-402n may be individuals who use a
device, such as a computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or
mobile communications equipment, to obtain services offered by a
cosmetic service. For example, an individual consumer 402a may
provide via network 412, personal information to cosmetic service
404a. Network 412 may be a public network (e.g., the Internet), a
private network, a virtual private network, or any wired or
wireless mechanism for facilitating communications between two
nodes or remote locations. Based on the personal information
received from the consumer, the cosmetic service may provide the
consumer with information that helps the consumer make a cosmetic
purchasing decision.
[0037] Personal information may include personal characteristic
information and preference information. Personal characteristic
information may include physical characteristic information,
lifestyle information, and family history information. Physical
characteristic information may include information such as age,
body size, skin type, skin sun sensitivity, hair type, eye color,
facial wrinkles, skin color, and any other information related to
physical features. Lifestyle information may include information
such as eating habits, exercise habits, exposure to sun,
entertainment preferences, fashion preferences, etc. Family history
information may include any information related to characteristics
of family members, such as whether a consumer's father is bald or
grew gray hair at an early age.
[0038] Preference information may include information that may
affect the consumer product recommendations made to the consumer by
the cosmetic service. Such information may include but is not
limited to information from a consumer indicative of at least one
preferred brand of cosmetic product, information from a consumer
indicative of purchase price preferences, information from a
consumer indicative of at least one preferred category of cosmetic
product, color preferences, fashion preferences, information
indicative of a minimum predicted compatibility level, information
indicative of a maximum number of cosmetic products to recommend,
and any other consumer specific information that may influence
cosmetic product recommendations or how those products may be
presented. Preference may also include information designating one
or more specific cosmetic products to be evaluated for
compatibility. In this manner, a consumer that desires to have a
particular brand of lipstick (for example) evaluated for
compatibility may be provided with predicted compatibility
information for the lipstick.
[0039] Cosmetic products that are presented may accordingly match
preferences provided by the consumer. Examples of categories of
cosmetic products include lipstick, lip liner, eyeliner, nail
polish, powder, blush, mascara, or other skin treatments, perfume,
shampoo, hair colorings or other hair treatments, and any other
products for affecting the appearance of the wearer. Categories of
cosmetic products may also refer to broader classifications, such
as, makeup, skincare, bath products, fragrances, sun protection,
etc.
[0040] Cosmetic services 404a-404n may be business entities that
provide consumers with information that aides the consumers in
selecting a cosmetic product. A cosmetic service may include any
entity that provides cosmetic information, products, or services to
consumers. Information maintained by the cosmetic service may
include correlation data between personal characteristics of
subjects and compatibility of cosmetic products with individuals
having such personal characteristics. A cosmetic service, such as
cosmetic service 404a may maintain (e.g., directly store or
otherwise provide access to) various items of information relating
to subjects. This information may be derived from population
surveys, records of interactions with a plurality of individuals,
or may be based on experiences of individuals with knowledge of the
cosmetic industry. In one such embodiment, cosmetic service 104a
may maintain information reflective of the use of a plurality of
cosmetic products by subjects, information reflective of personal
characteristics of the subjects, and information reflective of a
degree of compatibility between at least some of the cosmetic
products and the personal characteristics of the subjects.
[0041] Cosmetic service 104a may also collect personal
characteristic information from a consumer, such as consumer 102a,
and then compare the consumer's personal characteristic information
with the stored compatibility information relating to the subjects.
Based on that comparison, cosmetic service 104a may determine a
compatibility level of consumer 102a with various cosmetic products
and then provide the consumer with at least one indicator
reflective of the consumer's compatibility level with at least one
cosmetic product presented to the consumer. A compatibility level,
for example, may be reflective of at least one of an aesthetic
compatibility with a consumer's appearance and a physical
compatibility with a consumer's body chemistry. For example, a
compatibility level of a cosmetic product may be relatively high if
the product is predicted to aesthetically complement the consumer's
physical attributes and is predicted to cause no adverse physical
reaction (e.g., no allergies, etc.).
[0042] Beauty care facilities 406a-406n may be entities that
provide beauty care related services to consumers. For example, a
beauty care facility may offer facials, hair treatments, manicures,
makeup consultations, and other beauty care related services, as
well as offer cosmetic products for sale. A beauty care facility,
such as beauty care facility 406a, may also receive personal
information from a consumer, such as consumer 408 or 410, which it
may forward to a cosmetic service via network 412. The cosmetic
service may subsequently determine compatibility levels of the
consumer with at least one cosmetic product and provide this
information to the beauty care facility for use by the consumer in
a manner similar to that explained above.
[0043] Points of sale 414a-414n may be entities that sell various
cosmetic products to consumers. For example, a point of sale may be
a cosmetics counter in a department store. A point of sale, such as
point of sale 414a, may also receive personal information from a
consumer, such as consumer 416 or 418, which it may forward to a
cosmetic service. The cosmetic service may subsequently determine
compatibility levels of the consumer with at least one cosmetic
product and provide this information to the point of sale for use
by the consumer in a manner similar to that explained above.
[0044] FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of cosmetic service 404a,
although the other cosmetic services 404b-404n may contain similar
components. Cosmetic service 404a may include server 502, subject
information database 504, consumer database 506, consumer
compatibility unit 508, and product information database 510. The
number of components in cosmetic service 404a is exemplary, more or
less components may be employed while remaining within the scope
and spirit of the invention. In addition, functionality provided by
each component may reside in locations remote from each other, with
the cosmetic service providing remote access.
[0045] Server 502 may connect cosmetic service 404a to a network
(such as network 412 of FIG. 4). For example, a consumer (who may
be located at home, at a beauty care facility, or at a point of
sale) may log on to a web page located at server 502.
Alternatively, the consumer may contact server 502 or an employee
of cosmetic service 404a using electronic mail, telephone, or
regular mail.
[0046] After communication has been established, server 502 may
request a consumer to provide it with personal information. In a
situation where the consumer is a previous customer of cosmetic
service 404a, the consumer may provide server 502 with a
login/account number and associated password for retrieving
previously stored personal information from consumer database 506.
Otherwise, the consumer may provide the server with new personal
information. Server 502 may then send the received personal
information to consumer compatibility unit 508, where the
consumer's predicted compatibility with at least one cosmetic
product may be computed. Additionally, server 502 may forward the
predicted compatibility information to the consumer after receiving
that information from consumer compatibility unit 508. While the
request for personal information may take the form of queries, the
invention in its broadest sense is not so limited. Any mechanism of
obtaining personal information about the consumer may fall within
the scope of the invention. Thus, personal information may be
gleaned by tracking consumer buying or browsing habits, or through
cookies or other electronic information gathering mechanisms. In
addition, personal information may be gathered through
non-electronic mechanisms such as hard copy surveys, personal
interviews, or consumer preference polls.
[0047] Server 502 may also collect information on at least one
subject for storage in subject information database 504. This
information may include information reflective of the use of a
plurality of cosmetic products by the subjects (cosmetic use
information), information reflective of personal characteristics of
the subjects, and information reflective of a degree of
compatibility between at least some of the cosmetic products and
the personal characteristics of the subjects.
[0048] Cosmetic use information may refer to an indication of which
cosmetic products a subject prefers, as well as how often a subject
purchases or uses those cosmetic products. Personal characteristic
information of a subject may include information such as physical
characteristic information, lifestyle information, family history
information, or any other information specific to an individual
subject.
[0049] Information reflective of a degree of compatibility between
at least some of the cosmetic products and the personal
characteristics of the subjects (subject compatibility information)
may include quantitative data (i.e., data from various tests, such
as skin tests) as well as the subject's express perceptions. The
extent of compatibility may be computed using an algorithm, and/or
it may be a function of ratings provided by subjects. For example,
a subject may score self-perception of compatibility with one or
more products. This score may then be associated with a set of
personal characteristics that correspond to the subject.
Alternatively, the subject's compatibility information may be
derived by examining the subject's use information and assigning
scores to particular products based on the subject's preferences.
The subject's set of personal characteristics may then be
associated with the products and scores. In addition, those with
knowledge in the cosmetic field may provide information on the
compatibility of particular characteristics with different types of
cosmetic products. For example, cosmetologists may input
information on the compatibility of certain facial characteristics
with different colors of products, or information on the
compatibility of certain moisturizing lotions with people who share
a type of allergy.
[0050] Subject information database 504 may be populated or updated
by information received from server 502. For example, server 502
may prompt a plurality of subjects to enter cosmetic use
information, personal characteristic information, and/or subject
compatibility information. Prompting may occur, for example, by
presenting the subjects with a survey. Upon receiving information
from the subjects, server 502 may store the information in its
memory and later forward the information to subject information
database 504 for storage. Alternatively, subject information may be
directly entered into subject database 504.
[0051] Consumer database 506 may store information associated with
consumers who are new or are preexisting customers of cosmetic
service 104a. This information may include personal information and
predicted compatibility information corresponding to particular
consumers. For example, after receiving personal information from a
consumer, server 502 may store the information in its memory and
later forward the information to consumer database 506 for storage.
Server 502 may also forward the personal information to consumer
compatibility unit 508, where predicted compatibility information
may be computed. The predicted compatibility information may be
sent back to the consumer via server 502. The predicted
compatibility information may also be sent to consumer database 506
for storage. Thereafter, whenever that consumer accesses cosmetic
service 404a, the consumer may be presented with the previously
entered personal information and/or the previously computed
predicted compatibility information.
[0052] Consumer compatibility unit 508 may receive both collected
personal information corresponding to a consumer and compatibility
information of subjects maintained in subject information database
504. Consumer compatibility unit 508 may then compare the consumer
personal characteristic information from the consumer's personal
information with the subject compatibility information, and based
on the comparison, determine a predicted compatibility level of the
consumer with each of a plurality of cosmetic products. The
comparison may include identifying similarities between personal
characteristic information received from the consumer and the
personal characteristic information from at least one of the
subjects. Depending on the consumer's preferences, consumer
compatibility unit may also send server 502 information indicative
of the predicted compatibility level for at least one cosmetic
product for forwarding to the consumer. Consumer compatibility unit
508 may be implemented using one or more processors, at least one
of which may include an artificial intelligence engine (e.g., a
neural network, fuzzy logic, decision tree, etc.).
[0053] Product information database 510 may store information
concerning various cosmetic products. For example, this information
may comprise at least one of the name, code, category, brand, and
price of a plurality of cosmetic products, and any other
information that identifies a particular cosmetic product. The
information maintained in product information database 510 may be
periodically updated by the cosmetic service to include additional
cosmetic products, remove existing cosmetic products, change price
information, or include/change any other information related to
specific cosmetic products.
[0054] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of server 502 consistent with
the present invention. Server 502 may include may include CPU 602,
secondary storage 604, input device 606, display 608,
communications device 610 and memory 612. Memory 612 may include
operating system 614, consumer information 616, subject information
618, predicted compatibility information 620, product information
622, and cosmetic product software 624. In its broadest sense, the
invention is not limited to the structure of server 502. In
addition, the number of components in server 502 is not limited to
what is shown. Additional components may be added, illustrated
components may be removed, and alternative server structure and
functionality may be provided within the scope and spirit of the
invention.
[0055] Consumer information 616 may include the types of personal
information previously discussed, including both personal
characteristic information and preference information.
[0056] Subject information 618 may include personal information
from subjects and may reflect use of a plurality of cosmetic
products by the subjects (cosmetic use information), personal
characteristics of the subjects, and a degree of compatibility
between at least some of the cosmetic products and the personal
characteristics of the subjects (subject compatibility
information). Subject information 618 may be received via network
412 from subjects who are not local to the cosmetic service.
Thereafter, the subject information 618 may be forwarded to subject
information database 504 for storage. Alternatively, subject
information 618 may be directly entered in memory 612 by a system
administrator of server 502, or it may be loaded into memory 612
from secondary storage 604. For example, cosmetic service 404a may
physically or electronically send a survey to a plurality of
subjects requesting the subjects to provide various items subject
information. Responses to the survey may be compiled and stored in
secondary storage 604, where the information may be loaded into
memory 612 and forwarded to subject information database 504.
[0057] Predicted compatibility information 620 may include
information reflective of a predicted compatibility level between a
consumer and at least one cosmetic product. This information may be
received from consumer compatibility unit 508 and forwarded to the
consumer. Once the information is generated, it may be stored for
later display to the consumer during another login session.
Alternatively, since the system may be dynamic (i.e., information
subject to change), during a new session, the system may re-compute
previously computed compatibility levels.
[0058] Product information 622 may include information concerning
various cosmetic products loaded from product information database
510 or secondary storage 604. For example, this information may
include at least one of the name, code, category, brand, and price
of a plurality of cosmetic products. Product information 622 may be
utilized to compile a list of cosmetic products to present to a
consumer. The consumer may use such a list to indicate preference
information that may limit the predicted compatibility information
returned the cosmetic service. So for example, if a consumer is
presented with a list including several cosmetic products of
varying brands including brand A, consistent with the present
invention, the consumer may select the brand A product from the
list so that subsequent predicted compatibility information
returned to the consumer is only for cosmetic products from brand
A. A consumer may select a particular category of cosmetic product
in a similar manner.
[0059] Cosmetic product software 624 may control the sending of
information to and receiving information from a consumer desiring
help in making a cosmetic product purchasing decision. For example,
when a consumer initiates communication with a cosmetic service,
such as cosmetic service 404a, cosmetic product software 624 may
send the consumer a request to enter personal information or
account/login information associated with previously stored
personal information. Cosmetic product software 624 may cause newly
entered or previously stored personal information to be forwarded
to consumer compatibility unit 508, where the information may be
used to help determine predicted compatibility information with
respect to at least one cosmetic product. Predicted compatibility
information may be sent back to server 502, where cosmetic product
software 624 may store it in memory and forward it to the
requesting consumer. So for example, once consumer compatibility
unit 508 computes predicted compatibility information, it may send
the information to server 502. There, cosmetic product software 624
may store the predicted compatibility information in memory 612 and
forward it to a consumer for display.
[0060] FIG. 7 is another exemplary flowchart of a method for
helping a consumer make a cosmetic product purchasing decision
consistent with the present invention. A cosmetic service first
prompts a consumer to provide personal information (step 702). For
example, a consumer located at home, at a beauty facility, or at a
point of sale, may access a web page of the cosmetic service. In
response, the cosmetic service may present the consumer with a web
page having an electronic questionnaire asking the consumer for
personal information. Alternatively or additionally, personal
information may be obtained by tracking consumer buying or browsing
habits. Additionally, the cosmetic service may obtain personal
information using other modes of communication, such as electronic
mail, regular mail (e.g., physical mail), telephone, or electronic
gleaning. The personal information may be stored in memory and then
forwarded to a consumer compatibility unit for processing. The
personal information may also be stored in a consumer database,
where it may be retrieved later. As previously mentioned, personal
information may include preference information and personal
characteristic information.
[0061] In addition to requesting the consumer to provide personal
information, the cosmetic service may also inquire whether the
consumer is a previous customer of the cosmetic service (step 704).
This may be accomplished through a query or a cookie. If the
consumer is not a previous customer, then the cosmetic service may
have no personal information previously stored for the consumer,
and the cosmetic service may proceed to gather personal information
as discussed previously. The consumer's personal information may be
subsequently received by the cosmetic service (step 706).
[0062] If the consumer is a previous customer of the cosmetic
service, then the consumer may provide the cosmetic service with a
login/account number and associated password (or a cookie) for
retrieving previously stored personal information from a consumer
database, such as consumer database 506 (step 708). Next, a
determination may be made as to whether the consumer desires to
update the previously stored personal information (step 710). If an
update is desired, the consumer may provide the cosmetic service
with the new personal information at step 706. If the consumer does
not want to update the personal information, then processing may
continue as explained below with reference to step 712.
[0063] Upon receiving personal information from the consumer,
whether that information is new information or previously stored
information, the information may be compared with information
collected from a plurality of subjects (step 712). For example, the
consumer compatibility unit may receive collected personal
characteristic information corresponding to a consumer and
compatibility information of subjects maintained in a subject
information database. The consumer compatibility unit may then
compare the consumer personal characteristic information with the
subject compatibility information by identifying similarities
between the received consumer personal characteristic information
and the personal characteristic information from at least one of
the subjects.
[0064] Based on the comparing, the consumer compatibility unit may
determine a predicted compatibility level of the consumer with each
of a set of one or more plurality of cosmetic products (step 714).
For example, the consumer compatibility unit may take a set of one
or more cosmetic products and access subject compatibility
information for each product. By using the identified similarities
between the received consumer personal characteristic information
and the personal characteristic information from at least one of
the subjects, in conjunction with the accessed subject
compatibility information, a predicted compatibility level of the
consumer with each cosmetic product may be computed.
[0065] The set of cosmetic products accessed may be limited by
information provided by the consumer. For example, the consumer may
desire to only be presented with products from a specific cosmetic
product category, from a specific cosmetic product brand, or in a
predetermined price range. Additionally, the consumer may desire to
only be presented with products that are pre-selected by the
consumer. Or perhaps the consumer wants to see both
consumer-selected products and a set of alternative cosmetic
products.
[0066] After the predicted compatibility level of the consumer has
been computed for a set of one or more cosmetic products, any
additional consumer preferences and other limitations may be
applied to the set of cosmetic products (step 716). For example, if
the step of determining the predicted compatibility levels was not
limited by consumer preference information such as cosmetic product
category, cosmetic product brand, or preferred price range, then
those limitations may be made in step 716. Moreover, additional
preferences and limitations may be applied. These preferences and
limitations may include but are not limited to minimum predicted
compatibility level, maximum number of cosmetic products to
recommend, and any other consumer selected or cosmetic service
selected option that may influence what cosmetic products may be
recommended to the consumer or how those products may be
presented.
[0067] Thereafter, the consumer compatibility unit may provide the
predicted compatibility level information to a server or employee
of the cosmetic service for presentation to the consumer (step
718). The consumer, for example, may be presented with an
indication of at least one of the set of cosmetic products. An
indicator of the predicted compatibility level information that
corresponds to the presented product(s) may also be associated with
the presented product. The indicator of the predicted compatibility
level information may be presented in numeric form, symbolically,
and/or graphically. A code uniquely identifying the presented
product or a ranking may also be associated with the presented
product. A code may refer to, for example, a UPC (Uniform Product
Code), bar code, or other manner of distinguishing one product from
another.
[0068] An indicator of predicted compatibility level information
may be presented to the consumer on one or more screens
substantially dedicated to showing results, such as those depicted
in FIGS. 3, 8, and 9. Alternatively, an indicator may be presented
to the consumer on screens not necessarily dedicated to showing
results. As such, the consumer may be provided with compatibility
level information as the consumer browses various web pages.
[0069] FIG. 8 is another example of results provided to a consumer
by a cosmetic service consistent with the present invention.
Results 800 includes a cosmetic product column 802, price column
804, and affinity index column 806, similar to the columns shown in
FIG. 3. The affinity indices associated with cosmetic products 808,
810, and 812, however, include both a numeric indicator and a
graphical indicator.
[0070] FIG. 9 is yet another example of results provided to a
consumer by a cosmetic service consistent with the present
invention. Results 900 includes a rank column 902, a cosmetic
product column 904, a code column 906, a price column 908, and an
affinity index column 910. The affinity indices associated with
cosmetic products 912, 914, and 916 include symbolic indicators
that permit a consumer to ascertain the relative compatibility of
the cosmetic products. In the example set forth in FIG. 9, product
912 is the most compatible, product 914 is the second most
compatible, and product 916 is the third most compatible.
[0071] The ranks in rank column 902 indicate a numerical order of
the relative compatibility of the cosmetic products. Alternatively,
cosmetic products may also be ranked at least partially dependent
on price.
[0072] FIG. 10 is an example of a consumer display that includes an
indicator of predicted compatibility level information on a screen
not necessarily dedicated to showing results. Display 1000 may be a
web page from a cosmetic service. Display 1000 shows a cosmetic
product 1002, with a corresponding affinity index 1004, product
description 1006, and price 1008. Display 1000 also shows button
1010, which may allow a consumer to purchase cosmetic product 1002,
and button 1012, which may allow the consumer to cause the cosmetic
service to generate a list of alternative cosmetic products that
are compatible with the consumer.
[0073] Once the system has information on the consumer's personal
characteristics, that information may be used to automatically
display predicted compatibility information throughout the browsing
process whether or not the consumer requests it. So for example,
when the consumer logs onto the XYZ web site in FIG. 10, the
consumer might not only be presented with the product of the week
1002, but might also be automatically presented with a predicted
compatibility (affinity index 1004) with that product. Indeed,
every time (or at a merchant-selected time during browsing) a
product is displayed, a predicted compatibility level might be
displayed with it. This may hold true for cosmetic and non-cosmetic
products.
[0074] This application may discuss beauty products in connection
with use by women. However, it is to be understood that such
discussions are for exemplary purposes only. It is to be understood
that the invention is equally applicable to all genders, and is not
necessarily limited to the beauty industry. It is also to be
understood that any functional aspect of the invention can be
implemented via any location in the system or network, and data
software may be resident at any location either in a network, at a
stand-alone site, or on media in the custody and control of a user
or subject.
[0075] It is to be further understood that the physical mechanisms
(e.g. hardware, software, networks, systems) for implementing the
methods of the invention are many. Networks, hardware and systems
can be configured in a host of ways with software and hardware
functionality residing at many alternative locations. In addition,
systems other than the exemplary systems disclosed might be used to
implement the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the
methods of the invention are not limited to any particular
structure.
[0076] Further, methods or portions thereof can be implemented in
either an electronic environment, a physical environment, or
combinations thereof. Thus, for example, although one or more
portions of a method may occur in an electronic environment, a
"purchase" portion of the method may occur in a brick and mortar
store, or vice versa.
[0077] Cross-Reference to Concurrently Filed Applications and
Global Definitions
[0078] This application claims priority on and incorporates by
reference the following U.S. Provisional applications: Artificial
Intelligence For Use In Cosmetic And Non-Cosmetic Environments,
Application No. 60/325,561 (provisional filed Oct. 1, 2001); and
Methods And Systems For Cosmetic And Non-Cosmetic Product
Selection, Application No. 60/325,559 (provisional filed Oct. 1,
2001).
[0079] The following concurrently filed U.S. patent applications
are also incorporated herein by reference: Body Image Enhancement,
Attorney Docket No. 05725.0972; Methods And Systems For Predicting
And/Or Tracking Changes In External Body Conditions, Attorney
Docket No. 05725.0973; Methods And Systems For Generating A
Prognosis, Attorney Docket No. 05725.0974; Historical Beauty
Record, Attorney Docket No. 05725.0975; Identification And
Presentation Of Analogous Beauty Case Histories, Attorney Docket
No. 05725.0976; Interactive Beauty Analysis, Attorney Docket No.
05725.0977; Feature Extraction In Beauty Analysis, Attorney Docket
No. 05725.0978; Simulation Of An Aesthetic Feature On A Facial
Image, Attorney Docket No. 05725.0979; Beauty Advisory System And
Method, Attorney Docket No. 05725.0980; Virtual Beauty Consultant,
Attorney Docket No. 05725.0981; Calibrating Image Capturing,
Attorney Docket No. 05725.0982; Use Of Artificial Intelligence In
Providing Beauty Advice, Attorney Docket No. 0572.0983;
Shop-In-Shop Website Construction, Attorney Docket No. 05725.0984;
Early Detection Of Beauty Treatment Progress, Attorney Docket No.
05725.0985; Systems And Methods For Providing Beauty Guidance,
Attorney Docket No. 05725.0987; Methods And Systems Involving
Simulated Application Of Beauty Products, Attorney Docket No.
05725.1008; Customized Beauty Tracking Kit, Attorney Docket No.
05725.1009; Analysis Using Three-Dimensional Facial Image Attorney
Docket No. 05725.1010; Body Image Templates With Pre-Applied Beauty
Products, Attorney Docket No. 05725.1011; and Image Capture Method,
Attorney Docket No. 05725.1012.
[0080] To the extent not inconsistent with the invention defined
herein, definitions and terminology usage in the above-mentioned
concurrently filed applications, the above-mentioned priority
applications, and the following global definitions are to be
considered in interpreting the language of this patent and the
claims herein. Where multiple definitions are provided, they should
be considered as a single cumulative definition.
[0081] The term "image" may include one or more of two-dimensional
and three-dimensional representations. In certain examples
consistent with the invention, a plurality of images from different
perspectives may be used to construct a three-dimensional image. In
a broader sense, only a single image may be used. Depending on the
embodiment, the term "image" may include either a visually
perceptible image or electronic image data that may be either used
to construct a visually perceptible image or to derive information
about the subject. The image may be a body image corresponding to
an anatomical portion of the subject, and may represent, for
example, the subject's entire face, or a portion of the subject's
face. The image may be a detailed picture (e.g., a digital image or
a photograph) of a portion of the subject's body and/or a
topological plot mapping contours of a portion of subject's body.
If the image is representative of an external body condition, the
image could be either an actual image showing the condition or an
image including symbolizations of the condition, for example. The
image may be an actual or a simulated image. Simulated images may
include wholly or partially generated computer images, images based
on existing images, and images based on stored features of a
subject.
[0082] The term "image capture device", similar terms, and terms
representing structures with similar functions may include one or
more of a digital camera, webcam, film camera, analog camera,
digital video camera, scanner, facsimile machine, copy machine,
infrared imager, ultra-sound imaging device, or any other mechanism
for acquiring an image of a subject's external body condition, an
image of the subject's countenance, an/or an image of the subject's
skin. An ultrasonic device might provide skin thickness
information, or it might create a map on an area of the external
location. Thus, the term "image" as used herein may be broader than
a picture. Combinations of image capture devices may be used. For
example, an image captured on photographic paper using a film
camera might then be scanned on a flat bed scanner to create
another image.
[0083] The term "capturing (an image)", or any form thereof, refers
to the use of an image capture device to acquire an image.
"Capturing" may refer to the direct act of using the image capture
device to acquire the image. It may also include indirect acts to
promote acquisition. To this end, "capturing" may include the
indirect acts of providing access to hardware, or to at least one
of a client-based algorithm and a server-based algorithm for
causing the image capture device to capture an image. This may be
accomplished by providing a user with software to aid in the image
capture process, or providing the user with access to a network
location at which the software resides. Also consistent with
certain embodiments of the invention, capturing may include at
least one of receiving an instruction from the subject to capture
an image, indicating to the subject before the image is captured,
and indicating to the subject when the image is captured.
[0084] The term "image processing technique" or similar terms, may
include a software program, computer, application specific
integrated circuit, electronic device and/or a processor designed
to identify in an image one or more characteristics, such as a skin
condition. Such techniques may involve binarization, image
partitioning, Fourier transforms, fast Fourier transforms (FFTs),
and/or discrete cosine transforms may be performed on all or part
of the image, resulting in coefficients. Based on the coefficients,
conditions may be located, as known in the art. Artificial
intelligence, such as fuzzy logic, neural networks, genetic
programming and decision tree programming, may also be used to
identify conditions. Alternatively, one or more digital filters may
be passed through the image for locating specific conditions. These
examples are provided for illustrative purposes with the
understanding that any image processing technique may be used.
[0085] The term "network interface" or similar terms, refer to any
mechanism for aiding communications between various nodes or
locations in a network. A network interface may include, for
example a bus, a modem, or any other input/output structure. A
network interface may permit a connection to any network capable of
being connected to an input and/or output module located within at
least one or more of the following exemplary networks: an Ethernet
network, an Internet Protocol network, a telephone network, a radio
network, a cellular network, or any mechanism for permitting
communication between two or more modes or remote locations. In
some invention embodiments, a network interface might also included
a user interface.
[0086] The term "user interface" may include at least one component
such as a keyboard, key pad, mouse, track ball, telephone, scanner,
microphone, touch screen, web cam, interactive voice response
system (IVR), voice recognition system or any other suitable input
mechanism for conveying information. A user interface may also
include an input port connected by a wired, optical, or wireless
connection for electromagnetic transmissions. In some embodiments,
a user interface may include connections to other computer systems
to receive the input commands and data therefrom. User interface
may further include a data reading device such as a disk drive for
receiving input data from and writing data to storage media such as
magnetic and optical disks.
[0087] As used herein terms such as "external body condition",
"skin condition", and "actual condition" refer to conditions of at
least one of the skin, teeth, hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, body hair,
facial hair, fingernails, and/or toenails, or any other
externality. Examples of skin conditions may include elasticity,
dryness, cellulitis, sweating, aging, wrinkles, melanoma,
exfoliation, desquamation, homogeneity of color, creases, liver
spots, clarity, lines, micro-circulation, shininess, softness,
smoothness, tone, texture, matitty, hydration, sag, suppleness,
stress, springiness, firmness, sebum production, cleanliness,
translucency, luminosity, irritation, redness, vasocolation,
vasomotion, vasodilation, vasoconstriction, pigmentation, freckles,
blemishes, oiliness, pore distribution, pore size, moles,
birthmarks, acne, blackheads, whiteheads, pockmarks, warts,
pustules, boils, blisters, marks, smudges, specks, psoriasis and
other characteristics associated with the subject's skin. Examples
of hair conditions may include keratin plug, length, dryness,
oiliness, dandruff, pigmentation, thickness, density, root
conditions, split ends, hair loss, hair thinning, scales, staging,
cleanliness and other properties related to the subject's hair.
Examples of fingernail and toenail conditions may include
onychomycosis, split nails, delaminating, psoriasis, brilliancy,
lines, spots, coloration, gloss, strength, brittleness, thickness,
hangnail, length, disease, and other characteristics related to the
subject's nails. Other conditions may include, for example, size
and proportion of facial features, teeth discoloration, and any
other aesthetic-related or physical, physiological, or biological
conditions of the user.
[0088] "Enabling", "facilitating", and "causing" an action refer to
one or more of a direct act of performing the action, and any
indirect act of encouraging or being an accessory to the action.
Thus, the terms include partnering or cooperating with an entity
who performs the action and/or referring commerce to or having
commerce referred from an entity who performs the action. Other
examples of indirect activity encompassed within the definitions of
"enabling", "facilitating", and "causing" may include providing a
subject with one or more of tools to knowingly aid in performing
the action, providing instructions on how to perform the action,
providing prompts or cues to perform the action, or expressly
encouraging performance of the action. Indirect activity may also
include cooperating with an entity who either directly performs the
action or who helps another perform the action. Tools may include
software, hardware, or access (either directly, through hyperlink,
or some other type of cooperation or partnering) to a network
location (e.g., web site) providing tools to aid in performing the
action. Thus, phrases such as "enabling access" and "enabling
display" do not necessary require that the actor actually access or
display anything. For example, the actor may perform the enabling
function by affiliating with an entity who performs the action, or
by providing instructions, tools, or encouragement for another to
do the accessing and displaying.
[0089] Forms of the word "displaying" and like terms may also
include indirect acts such as providing content for transmission
over a network to a display device, regardless of whether the
display device is in the custody or control of the sender. Any
entity in a chain of delivering information for display performs an
act of "displaying", as the term is used herein.
[0090] Likewise, the term "providing" includes direct and indirect
activities. For example, providing access to a computer program may
include at least one of providing access over a network to the
computer program, and creating or distributing to the subject a
computer program configured to run on the subject's workstation or
computer. For example, a first party may direct network traffic to
(either through electronic links or through encouragement to visit)
a server or web site run by a second party. If the second party
maintains a particular piece of software thereon, then it is to be
understood that within the meaning of "providing access" as used
herein, the first party is said to provide access to the particular
software. Or if the first party directs a subject to a second party
who in turn ships the particular software to the user, the first
party is said to provide the user with access to the particular
software. (Of course, in both of the above instances, the second
party would also be providing access within the meaning of the
phrase as used herein.) "Receiving" may include at least one of
acquisition via a network, via verbally communication, via
electronic transmission, via telephone transmission, in hard-copy
form, or through any other mechanism enabling reception. In
addition, "receiving" may occur either directly or indirectly. For
example, receipt may occur through a third party acting on another
party's behalf, as an agent of another, or in concert with another.
Regardless, all such indirect and direct actions are intended to be
covered by the term "receiving" as used herein. A received request,
for example, may take one of many forms. It may simply be a checked
box, clicked button, submitted form or oral affirmation. Or it
might be a typed or handwritten textual request. Receiving may
occur through an on-line interest form, e-mail, facsimile,
telephone, interactive voice response system, or file transfer
protocol transmitted electronically over a network at a web site,
an internet protocol address, or a network account. A request may
be received from a subject for whom information is sought, or an
entity acting on the subject's behalf. "Receiving" may involve
receipt directly or indirectly through one or more networks and/or
storage mediums. Receipt may occur physically such as in hard copy
form, via mail delivery or other courier delivery.
[0091] Forms of the word "maintain" are used broadly to include
gathering, storing, accessing, providing access to, or making
something available for access, either directly or indirectly. For
example, those who maintain information include entities who
provide a link to a site of a third party where the information is
stored.
[0092] Consistent with the concepts set forth above, all other
recited actions such as, for example, obtaining, determining,
generating, selecting, applying, simulating, presenting, etc, are
inclusive of direct and indirect actions. Thus, for purposes of
interpreting the following claims, an entity performs a recited
action through either direct or indirect activity. Further examples
of indirect activity include sending signals, providing software,
providing instructions, cooperating with an entity to have the
entity perform the action, outsourcing direct or indirect actions,
or serving in any way as an accessory to the specified action.
[0093] The term "product" is used to generically refer to tangible
merchandise, goods, services, and actions performed. A "beauty
product," "beauty care product," "cosmetic product" or similar
terms, refer to products (as defined above) for effecting one or
more external body conditions, such as conditions of the skin, hair
and nails. Examples of tangible merchandise forms of beauty
products include cosmetic goods, such as treatment products,
personal cleansing products, and makeup products, in any form
(e.g., ointments, creams, gels, sprays, supplement, ingesta,
inhalants, lotions, cakes, liquids, and powders.)
[0094] Examples of services forms of beauty products include hair
styling, hair cutting, hair coloring, hair removal, skin treatment,
make-up application, and any other offering for aesthetic
enhancement. Examples of other actions performed include massages,
facial rubs, deep cleansings, applications of beauty product,
exercise, therapy, or any other action effecting the external body
condition whether performed by a professional, the subject, or an
acquaintance of the subject.
[0095] The following is exemplary and non-exhaustive listing of a
few beauty products-scrubs, rinses, washes, moisturizers, wrinkle
removers, exfoliates, toners, cleansers, conditioners, shampoos,
cuticle creams, oils, and anti-fungal substances, anti-aging
products, anti-wrinkle products, anti-freckle products, skin
conditioners, skin toners, skin coloring agents, tanners, bronzers,
skin lighteners, hair coloring, hair cleansing, hair styling,
elasticity enhancing products, agents, blushes, mascaras,
eyeliners, lip liners, lipsticks, lip glosses, eyebrow liners, eye
shadows, nail polishes, foundations, concealers, dental whitening
products, cellulite reduction products, hair straighteners and
curlers, and weight reduction products. A beauty care treatment
regimen may involve the administration of one or more products, as
defined above.
[0096] The terms "beauty advice", "beauty guidance", and similar
terms are used interchangeably to refer to the provision of beauty
related information to a subject. Advice or guidance includes one
or more of beauty product recommendations (e.g., cosmetic product
recommendations for products to treat conditions the subject is
prompted to evaluate), remedial measures, preventative measures,
predictions, prognoses, price and availability information,
application and use information, suggestions for complementary
products, lifestyle or dietary recommendations, or any other
information intended to aid a subject in a course of future
conduct, to aid a subject in understanding past occurrences, to
reflect information about some future occurrences related to the
subject's beauty or to aid a subject in understanding beauty
products, as defined above.
[0097] The term "network" may include a public network such as the
Internet or a telephony network, a private network, a virtual
private network, or any other mechanism for enabling communication
between two or more nodes or locations. The network may include one
or more of wired and wireless connections. Wireless communications
may include radio transmission via the airwaves, however, those of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various other
communication techniques can be used to provide wireless
transmission including infrared line of sight, cellular, microwave,
satellite, blue-tooth packet radio and spread spectrum radio.
Wireless data may include, but is not limited to, paging, text
messaging, e-mail, Internet access and other specialized data
applications specifically excluding or including voice
transmission.
[0098] In some instances consistent with the invention, a network
may include a courier network (e.g. postal service, United Parcel
Service, Federal Express, etc.). Other types of networks that are
to be considered within the scope of the invention include local
area networks, metropolitan area networks, wide area networks, ad
hoc networks, or any mechanism for facilitating communication
between two nodes or remote locations.
[0099] "Artificial intelligence" (AI) is used herein to broadly
describe any computationally intelligent systems that combine
knowledge, techniques, and methodologies. An AI engine may be any
system configured to apply knowledge and that can adapt itself and
learn to do better in changing environments. Thus, the AI engine
may employ any one or combination of the following computational
techniques: neural network, constraint program, fuzzy logic,
classification, conventional artificial intelligence, symbolic
manipulation, fuzzy set theory, evolutionary computation,
cybernetics, data mining, approximate reasoning, derivative-free
optimization, decision trees, or soft computing. Employing any
computationally intelligent techniques, the AI engine may learn to
adapt to unknown or changing environment for better performance. AI
engines may be implemented or provided with a wide variety of
components or systems, including one or more of the following:
central processing units, co-processors, memories, registers, or
other data processing devices and subsystems.
[0100] AI engines may be trained based on input such as product
information, expert advice, user profile, or data based on sensory
perceptions. Using input an AI engine may implement an iterative
training process. Training may be based on a wide variety of
learning rules or training algorithms. For example, the learning
rules may include one or more of the following: back-propagation,
real-time recurrent learning, pattern-by-pattern learning,
supervised learning, interpolation, weighted sum, reinforced
learning, temporal difference learning, unsupervised learning, or
recording learning. As a result of the training, AI engine may
learn to modify its behavior in response to its environment, and
obtain knowledge. Knowledge may represent any information upon
which AI engine may determine an appropriate response to new data
or situations. Knowledge may represent, for example, relationship
information between two or more products. Knowledge may be stored
in any form at any convenient location, such as a database.
[0101] Since AI engine may learn to modify its behavior,
information describing relationships for a universe of all
combinations of products may not need to be maintained by the AI
engine or any other component of the system.
[0102] "Personal information", "subject specific information",
"user specific information", "user profile", "personal
characteristics", "personal attributes", "profile information", and
like terms (collectively referred to in this section as "personal
information") may broadly encompass any information about the
subject or user. Such information may, for example, fall within
categories such as physical characteristics, fashion preferences,
demographics, nutritional information, cosmetic usage information,
medical history information, environmental information, beauty
product usage information, lifestyle, and may include information
such as name; age; birth date; height; weight; ethnicity; eating
habits; vacation patterns; geographic location of the individual's
residence, location, or work; work habits; sleep habits; toiletries
used; exercise habits; relaxation habits; beauty care habits;
smoking and drinking habits; sun exposure habits; use of sunscreen;
propensity to tan; number of sunburns and serious sunburns; dietary
restrictions; dietary supplements or vitamins used; diagnosed
conditions affecting the external body, such as melanoma; an image,
such as a picture or a multimedia file of the subject; facial
feature characteristics; family history information such as
physical characteristics information about relatives of the subject
(e.g., premature balding, graying, wrinkles, etc.); external body
condition (as defined previously); color preferences, clothing
style preferences, travel habits; entertainment preferences;
fitness information; adverse reactions to products, compounds, or
elements (e.g., sun exposure); body chemistry, use of prior beauty
care products and their effectiveness; purchasing, shopping, and
browsing habits; hobbies; marital status; whether the subject is a
parent; country of residence; region of residence; birth country
and region; religious affiliation; political affiliation; whether
the subject is an urban dweller suburban dweller or rural area
dweller; size of urban area in which the subject lives; whether the
subject is retired; annual income, sexual preference, or any other
information reflecting habits, preferences, or affiliations of the
subject.
[0103] Personal information may also include information
electronically gleaned by tracking the subject's electronic
browsing or purchasing habits, or as the result of cookies
maintained on the subject's computer, responses to surveys, or any
other mechanism providing information related to the subject. In
addition, personal information may be gathered through
non-electronic mechanisms such as hard copy surveys, personal
interviews, or consumer preference polls.
[0104] "Complementary" and "complementary product" refers to one or
more of physical, physiological, biologically, and aesthetic
compatibility. A product may be complementary with one or more of
another product, a group of products, or a subject. In that latter
instance, whether a product is considered "complementary" may be a
function of personal information of the subject. Thus, for example
a product may be complementary if it is unlikely to cause an
adverse allergic reaction; if it physically blends well with
another product; or if it is aesthetically consistent with the
subject or one or more other products. Aesthetic compatibly may
refer to the fact that two products are aesthetically appealing (or
do not clash) when worn together. The identification of a
complementary product may also be based on product characteristics,
user preferences, survey data, or expert advice.
[0105] As used herein, the words "may" and "may be" are to be
interpreted in an open-ended, non-restrictive manner. At minimum,
"may" and "may be" are to be interpreted as definitively including
structure or acts recited. Further, the word "or" is to be
interpreted in the conjunctive and the disjunctive.
[0106] While flow charts presented herein illustrate a series of
sequential blocks for exemplary purposes, the order of blocks is
not critical to the invention in its broadest sense. Further,
blocks may be omitted and others added without departing from the
spirit of the invention. Also, the invention may include
combinations of features described in connection with differing
embodiments.
[0107] Although a focus of the disclosure may be on server-side
methods, it is nevertheless to be understood that the invention
includes corresponding client-side methods, software, articles of
manufacture, and computer readable media, and that computer
readable media can be used to store instructions for some or all of
the methods described herein. Further, it is to be understood that
disclosed structures define means for implementing the
functionality described herein, and that the invention includes
such means for performing the disclosed functions.
[0108] In the foregoing Description of Exemplary Embodiments,
various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for
purposes of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure
is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the
claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited
in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive
aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing
disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby
incorporated into this Description of the Exemplary Embodiments,
with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the
invention.
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